Hi everyone so today's topic is over modesty. I know there has been a lot said on modesty. Enough to have made many confused and even cringe at the word. But I want you to know that modesty is a beautiful word and it is important and essential to our lives. And today we are going to learn exactly what is taught in the Bible about modesty. So, let’s get started.
Let’s open the Bible to 1 Timothy 2:9-10.
“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But which becometh women professing godliness with good works.” 1 Timothy 2:9-10
Now the New Testament was originally written in Greek, and to better understand this verse we need to look at the definitions of key words.
Adorn: in Greek is kosmein (kosmeó): means I put into order; I decorate, deck, adorn
So, to adorn oneself simply means the way in which we dress “decorate” ourselves.
Modest: in Greek is kosmiō: means orderly, virtuous, decent, modest, well-ordered.
And looking in a dictionary modest is defined as:
-Having or showing a moderate or humble estimate of one’s merits, importance, etc.; free from vanity, egotism, boastfulness, or great pretensions;
-Free from ostentation or showy extravagance;
-Having or showing regard for the decencies of behavior, speech, dress, etc.;
-Limited or moderate in amount, extent, etc.
So, modest is all about being humble. And decent.
Sobriety: in the Greek is sōphrosynēs (sóphrosuné): means soundness of mind, sanity; self-control, sobriety.
And looking in a dictionary self-control is defined as: moderation, discretion, prudence.
So, sobriety is about having self-control, which we do control what we wear and how we behave. Sobriety also means moderation and discretion, which ties in perfectly with modesty because being modest does mean showing a moderate or humble estimate of one’s merits and importance.
Shamefacedness: in the Greek is aidous (aidós): means a sense of shame, modesty.
I have to say the word shamefacedness has been a hard word for me to define. It has two sides to it. First, it means modesty, which going back to the definition of modest, means to be humble and decent. Second, it means a sense of shame, and shame means to be ashamed or guilty, so a sense of shame means a sense of guilt.
Now, there is no shame in being modest, but to be immodest or naked would be shameful. So, I feel that the context of shamefacedness in this verse leans more toward modesty. There are some translations that have translated it as such.
“likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control,” - English Standard Version
“likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly,” -New American Standard Bible
Now that we have learned more about these key words let’s go back to 1 Timothy 2:9-10.
“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But which becometh women professing godliness with good works.” 1 Timothy 2:9-10
Paul tells us that we are to adorn ourselves:
-with modest apparel (decent, proper clothing)
-with shamefacedness and sobriety (modesty and self-control)
-not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array
-with which becometh women professing godliness with good works
The first two statements are easy to understand. We need to dress in decent clothing and with modesty and sobriety.
The third statement can be a bit confusing. Paul states that we are not to adorn ourselves with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array. At first glance most think Paul is saying we can’t wear jewelry or braid our hair. But these characteristics (broided hair, gold, pearls, costly array) are ways in which women would draw attention to themselves. And these can be some of the very same things even today that women can use to draw attention to themselves. Really the list could be expanded. But Paul isn’t saying that braiding hair is wrong or that wearing a gold necklace is wrong. For there are many verses in the Bible that mention jewelry in positive ways.
Examples:
Abraham’s servant brought gold jewelry and put bracelets on Rebekah because God showed him that she was the one chosen to be the wife for Isaac. Genesis 24:22 “And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;”
God told Moses that the Israelites would not leave Egypt empty, but that they would leave with jewels of silver, jewels of gold, and raiment. Exodus 3:21-22 “And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty: But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.”
And here is another verse that speaks of jewels. Isaiah 61:10 “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”
Paul is not forbidding jewelry nor is he forbidding one certain hairstyle.
The point here is that we need to remember modesty and sobriety.
Our outward adorning (hair, clothing, accessories) needs to come from an attitude of being humble. Not boastful, not wrapped up with vanity, not showy. We shouldn’t be shouting “hey world look at me”.
We shouldn’t dress to try to impress others, but to please God.
To honor Him and bring glory to Him.
We want others to focus on God, not ourselves.
For this is what modesty is all about.
This is what Paul is preaching here.
And this goes for men just as much as it does for women. Men are to dress decent. And they too should remember to be humble.
Coming to the end of the verse Paul tells us to let our adorning be with good works for that is what becomes a woman professing godliness.
So instead of putting such a focus on our outward appearance, we should focus our attention on adorning our lives with good works.
Remembering to be modest.
Not boastful, not trying to show off, and not trying to get attention.
But being humble.
For that is what modesty is all about.
And modesty is important because in all things we want to please, honor, and glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Living our lives for Him.
Coming to the end of the verse Paul tells us to let our adorning be with good works for that is what becomes a woman professing godliness.
So instead of putting such a focus on our outward appearance, we should focus our attention on adorning our lives with good works.
Remembering to be modest.
Not boastful, not trying to show off, and not trying to get attention.
But being humble.
For that is what modesty is all about.
And modesty is important because in all things we want to please, honor, and glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Living our lives for Him.
I hope that this blog post has helped. I hope you understand the concept of modesty. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments down below.
Thank you for reading.
No comments:
Post a Comment